Inversion of crustal seismic refraction and reflection data

Interpretation of detailed crustal velocity distribution can be made by using generalized linear inversion of travel times of refracted and reflected seismic waves. The inversion method can be used to predict optimum distances for station locations of refraction profiles. For crustal models, seismic arrivals whose travel times are of most importance in determining crustal structure are near-vertical incidence reflections, wide-angle reflections, and distant refractions. Estimates of the variances of thicknesses and velocities of derived crustal models are also obtained by using the inversion method.